Flashback – Fifteen Years Ago
A storm rolled across the sky, thunder rumbling like an omen as two boys stood opposite each other in the grand estate's training yard. Rain soaked their shirts, but neither flinched.
"Again," the older one snapped.
"I'm tired," the younger boy replied, panting.
"You don't get to be tired, Richard!" the elder barked, shoving him backward. "You're weak. That's why Grandpa chose Dylan."
Richard's fists clenched. "He's not even one of us! He's a bastard. A mistake!"
"Maybe," the trainer said coldly. "But he has what you don't—control."
Richard's scream echoed across the yard as he lunged forward again, fueled not by skill, but by rage.
---
Present – Dylan's Private Armory
The steel door hissed open as Dylan stepped inside. Rows of custom weapons, high-grade explosives, and encrypted comms awaited him. Jayden stood near the table, reviewing blueprints.
"This is suicide," Jayden muttered. "Richard's base is a fortress now."
"That's why we don't go through the front door," Dylan said coolly. "We go through the floor."
He pointed to a map. "There's an old waterway system beneath his compound—forgotten during the city rebuild ten years ago. We use that to get in, extract Noah, and collapse the western tower on our way out."
Jayden gave a low whistle. "Cold."
"I'm done playing games."
---
Meanwhile – Heaven's Room
Heaven sat at the edge of the bed, staring at a photo of Michael on her phone. Her thoughts drifted to Dylan—how he was risking everything for a boy he barely knew. She hated that it made her heart soften.
You're falling… aren't you? her conscience whispered.
She flinched at the thought.
Her door creaked open.
It was Dylan.
His voice was low. "I leave in an hour."
"To get Noah?"
He nodded once.
"I want to come."
"No." His tone left no room for argument.
Heaven stood, fists clenched. "I'm not fragile."
"I know. But you're not expendable."
He turned to go, then paused.
"If I don't come back—"
"You will," she interrupted.
Their eyes locked for a brief moment, heavy with unspoken words. Then he left.
---
Elsewhere – Richard's Base
Elena stormed into Richard's office, her face pale.
"He's moving," she said. "Dylan found the tunnels."
Richard didn't react. He simply stared at the chessboard in front of him and moved his black knight forward.
"Good," he whispered. "Let him come."
He turned to the large monitor, watching Noah on the rooftop.
"And when he does… I'll finally get what's mine."